Most Americans know little to nothing about the Iranian culture, nor do they bother to learn more about their culture. To Americans it is perceived that women aren't consider equal at any time, but that isn't necessarily true. We as Ameicans get the idea of women not being equals and men being superioto over women due to the fact that the Quran states "And due to the wives is similar to what is expected of them, according to what is reasonable. But the men have a degree over them [in responsibility and authority]." Though the Quran does state that men are of a higher degree in status over women, no where in the Quran does it state that men are superior to women. Americans also think this because they believe men can beat their disobedient wives, for us beating disobedient wives seems cruel and unusual. In the United States we have lawagainst domestic abuse which adds to Americans misunderstanding the Islamic religion. Many Americas probably don't know that women are considered equal when it comes to religion and following Islamic laws. Both women and men have have laws and rules to follow, though they may vary in severity, it's essential that they are followed. For women there are some special laws, such as that in the court system, a womans testimony is worth have a mans. Women also need permission to divorce, where a man may have sexual relationships with other women. There are somethings that are the same foranother men and women. Take intoxicants for instance, both men and women aren't allowed to drink alcohol or take drugs. In Persepolis, when Marji's family was having a party with alcohol, both the women and the men were scrambling to get rid of any traces of alcohol. They knew that regardless of their gender if anyone was caught drinking, the outcome wouldn't have been pretty. There are other laws that both women and en have to follow, no gambling and homosexuality is a crime for either women or men. In the same scene where Marji's family got rid of the alcohol, when Marji's mother and father were pulled over, the officer treated Merji's mother with more respect than her father. Not everyone in the Islamic culture treats women with less repsect than men, with any culture there are stereotypes that don't hold true to everyone. Women are also equal when it comes to terms of religion. Both women and men have dress codes that they need to follow, though the womens dress code maybe more harsh, they both stilll have to follow them either way. As with having a dress code, both men and women are required to pray multiple times a day. When Marji and some of her guy friends were talking, they were telling each other how many times they prayed a day. It didn't matter that they were male or Marji was female, all that mattered was that they prayed. Along with praying and dress codes, another religous role of both men and women is they must never speak in their religion in a negitive way.
Both women and men have have laws and rules to follow, though they may vary in severity, it's essential that they are followed. For women there are some special laws, such as that in the court system, a womans testimony is worth have a mans. Women also need permission to divorce, where a man may have sexual relationships with other women. There are somethings that are the same foranother men and women. Take intoxicants for instance, both men and women aren't allowed to drink alcohol or take drugs. In Persepolis, when Marji's family was having a party with alcohol, both the women and the men were scrambling to get rid of any traces of alcohol. They knew that regardless of their gender if anyone was caught drinking, the outcome wouldn't have been pretty.
Women are also equal when it comes to terms of religion. Both women and men have dress codes that they need to follow, though the womens dress code maybe more harsh,
they both stilll have to follow them either way. As with having a dress code, both men and women are required to pray multiple times a day. When Marji and some of her guy friends were talking, they were telling each other how many times they prayed a day. It didn't matter that they were male or Marji was female, all that mattered was that they prayed. Along with praying and dress codes, another religous role of both men and women is they must never speak in their religion in a negitive way.
Sources:
http://www.iran-bulletin.org/political_islam/punishmnt.html
http://www.hraicjk.org/punishment_of_muslim_women.html
http://wikiislam.net/wiki/Islamic_Law
http://quran.com/2/228